【new】Kikuchi Guitars / Hermes MV5 CFM 4.010kg #814【GIB横浜】

Kikuchi Guitars is a new high-end brand created by Yoshiyuki Kikuchi (and Okada International), who has earned immense trust from many professional bassists, particularly for his work with Sadowsky.

While the initial products were all one-of-a-kind custom models, the Hermes series, in contrast, can be described as a mass-produced model with fixed specifications.

It might be a slight oversimplification, but the Hermes series is like the Sadowsky Metroline from the Japanese-made era, while the TYO is like the custom model.

The design is based on the JB, a bass that is particularly well-regarded among the many basses designed by Mr. Kikuchi.

His previous work has been refined and brought together to create a more modern bass.

The body is made of ash, and the fingerboard is maple—classic choices.

While many custom models feature chambered bodies, all Hermes Series basses are solid-body.

Some people prefer solid bodies. (Personally, I prefer solid bodies.)

The shape is a Dinky, and it's not full-size.

This is one of the differences from the Three Dots series, also produced by the same company.

The pickups are split-coil type, manufactured by DiMarzio.

These are similar to those used in Sadowsky Metroline guitars from the era when they were made in Japan.

Their distinctive features are their low noise and trebly tone.

Passive pickups for 5-string JB basses often lack the trebly tone of a 4-string JB.

This pickup doesn't feel lacking in that regard. It's very appealing.

The preamp is a custom type specially designed by EMG for this model.

It has a simple design, boosting only bass and treble.

This fits perfectly, as expected.

When boosted, the peak of the midrange dip is exquisite, making the bass sound tight and stylish.

Yet, it doesn't lose its bass character, and retains its beautiful harmonics.

It eloquently demonstrates the meaning of boosting with a 2-band EQ.

The controls are volume, balancer, tone (push/pull switch bypasses the preamp), and treble/bass. The string height is relatively low at the time of shipment, but not as low as a custom model, and the playability is excellent.
It should be comfortable even for those who usually play Fender-style basses with Fender-like settings.

The precision of the neck, which has been highly praised for a long time, is superb, and that quality is fully demonstrated.

The neck shape is slightly flat and thin.

It feels like a shape that is trending in recent 5-string JB basses.

One of the factors that creates the difference between 4-string and 5-string basses is the difference in neck mass.

The neck is thin and slender, and this design makes it feel less like a typical 5-string bass in a good way.

It is characterized by an extremely fast and responsive playing feel.

Yet, it has a sufficient amount of bass, and is finished with a rich harmonic and trebly sound.

This is a supreme instrument that could only be realized by Mr. Kikuchi making basses in the modern era.

Model：4st or 5st
Body: Ash 2-Piece (Solid) or Alder 2-Piece (Solid)
Neck：Maple, Thin Matte Nitro
Fingerboard: Maple or Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (305R)
Nut Material: Tusq
Nut Width: 4st: 37mm, 5st: 46mm
Fret: 22F
Scale：864mm (34″)
Bridge: 4st: Hipshot 20mm Spacing, 5st: Hipshot 19mm Spacing
Tuner: Hipshot License Ultra-Light
Pickups: 4st: DiMarzio 4HC in 60’s Locations, 5st: DiMarzio 5HC in 60’s Locations
Preamp: Kikuchi Guitars Original Preamp
Controls: Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Passive Roll Off Tone (with Pull Switch for Preamp Bypass), Treble/Bass Boost
Body Finish: Polyester
Strings: 4st: D’Addario .045 – .105, 5st: D’Addario .045 – .130T
Case: Original Semi Hardcase
Accessories: Original Gig Bag
Text: Shunsuke Saga
Product Photos: Higashi

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Note: All electronic devices, such as effect pedals and amplifiers, are set for use in Japan.
Please be sure to check the voltage and power specifications of your country before purchasing and using.